Date A Live Volume 19 - Mio True End

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1: Responsibility of the Survivors
Chapter 2: The Second Date
Chapter 3: A Battlefield That Should Be Called Impossible
Chapter 4: Momentary Paradise
Chapter 5: And Her Choice Is
Final Chapter: A Hand Stretched Out
Afterword

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10 | P a g e

CHAPTER 1: RESPONSIBILITY OF THE
SURVIVORS

“Reine-san ──do you want to go on a date with me tomorrow?”

Above Tenguu City, at an altitude of 15,000 meters.

Onboard the large aircraft <Fraxinus> floating there, Itsuka Shidou
had made up his mind to issue those words.

Standing in front of him was a woman looking around 20 years of age
and wearing the military uniform for <Ratatoskr>. Her hair was
slovenly tied together, with pale skin and thick shadows decorating
underneath her eyes──

If listing only those features, one might think that she was sick person
inflicted with an incurable disease. But even when taking that into
account, she was still breathtakingly beautiful. Her symmetrical nose
bridge and the somewhat sorrowful look traced onto that pair of eyes.
Rather, even the aforementioned features felt like contributing a role
in fostering her phantasmal atmosphere.
──Murasame Reine.

11 | P a g e

The Analytic Officer of <Ratatoskr>, the organization designed to
protect Spirits, as well as the assistant homeroom teacher of Shidou’s
classroom.

And──the Spirit of Origin that had become the source of all other
Spirits, Mio Takamiya.

Yes. Starting from now, in about 30 hours, she will be the Spirit that
would massacre all of the other Spirits.

“…………”

While listening to what Shidou had said, Reine gaze down at him
while slightly narrowing her eyes.

“That really surprised me, why did you say something like that so
suddenly, Shin?”

Then, after a while, with an appearance that didn’t look too shocked,
she replied back in a quiet voice.

Neither acceptance nor refusal. Perhaps, she was aiming to measure
Shidou’s intentions.

But it seemed to be impossible. Although they had a close
relationship──no, for that reason──if someone had suddenly said
such a thing, it would be normal to be surprised. Conversely, if
Shidou were standing in Reine’s position, he would have likely said
something familiar.

12 | P a g e

However, for Reine right now, such sentiments were likely not the
only emotions stirring in her chest. Shidou looked back at Reine’s
gaze and pondered these thoughts over. Then, he swallowed in a small
gulp before replying back in the process.

“Is it no good? Tomorrow──no the date has changed, so it’s precisely
today, but there should still be a whole day before DEM’s assault.”

“Although that is the case, there is no need for training beforehand.
Rest well or do something you like──”

“I’m not training.”

“…………”

As Shidou spoke out to interrupt her words, Reine fell silent as she
averted her eyes for a moment. Rather than being unable to continue
looking at Shidou, it seemed she was looking to see if anyone was
around.

“……This isn’t the place to tell a joke. Shin, won’t you feel worried
being seen by someone?”

“I didn’t say that as a joke. ──Reine-san, you just told me to do
something that I liked. So that’s why I’ve invited you on a date before
the facing the decisive battle.”

“…………”

13 | P a g e

Hearing what Shidou had said, Reine fell silent once again.
“……Does everyone know?”
“Of course, I haven’t told anyone. This is a secret date from everyone
else.”
“……For a moment, can I ask you? Why are you inviting me?”
“Do you not want to?”
“I haven’t said that, but if you wanted to go on a date, then there
should be someone else. Everyone will be pleased if you offer.”
“Well then, it’s hopeless. Right now, I want to go on a date with
Reine-san.”
“…………”

Three times, there was silence.

After a moment of thinking it over, Reine let out a small sigh.
“How unfair, you.”
“Eh……?”
“When you say it like that, is there still any room for refusal?”

14 | P a g e

“! Then──”

As Shidou’s eyes perked up, he saw Reine give a small nod back.

“……Time to leave. When should I head out?”

“Thank you……! Well then, tomorrow morning, I’ll meet you in
front of Tenguu station at 10 o’clock.”

“……I understand…….please excuse me now. If I don’t finish up the
remainder of my work, Kotori will get angry.”

Shidou swayed his shoulders back. After hearing Reine’s reply, he
finally recognized the insanity of his behavior in asking for a date in
the middle of the night before the appointed day.

No, to be precise, that method of rash thinking was completely
unimaginable. It’s just that Shidou had no extra energy to afford
worrying about this just a moment ago. …..No, but now that there
was space now, he couldn’t help but shake his head back
uncontrollably.

“Sorry to have suddenly made such a request.”

“It’s fine. Seeing your position, it’s not something that should be said
out loud, but I’m really happy to have received your invitation.
──Having said that, it’s still very difficult to get Kotori’s consent.”

“Ha…haha………”

15 | P a g e

With a wry smile, Shidou wiped away the sweat covering his
forehead. Reine lightly waved her hand back as she walked into the
<Fraxinus> corridor.

Soon afterwards, Reine’s figure turned around the corridor and
completely disappeared.

“Fuwa──”

After confirming it for a moment, Shidou took a huge breath in as if
entire face had been completely submerged underwater.

His back was soaked with sweat as his fingertips were trembling
slightly. The extreme tension, vigor, and resolution pushing his body
forward as momentum had spewed out all at once.

With his feet staggering, Shidou placed his back against the wall of
the hallway before squatting down onto the floor.

“For the time being, this was breaking through the first barrier, right?”

Then, he muttered with a voice that nobody else could hear.

For now, he had succeeded in inviting Reine to a date. Of course,
while keeping this in mind as the real hurdle begins, Shidou still
couldn’t let out a sigh of relief yet.

16 | P a g e

After all, the first success was predictable to some extent.

Reine couldn’t refuse Shidou──no, it was impossible for Mio to
refuse Shin’s invitation. Shidou also recognized that fact.

For this reason, Shidou was able to forcibly obtain consent for the
date despite being self-aware of the rude timing in asking.

“…………”

However, Shidou patted down his cheeks with both hands to relight
his fighting spirit.

Before tomorrow’s date (war), there was still something that needed
to be done beforehand.

The opponent was the Spirit of Origin. One might feel at ease if there
was an existence capable of surpassing her, but such things did not
exist. Yet within this limited time, it was necessary to overcome her
with his own hands.

However, the question raised was how to proceed smoothly. In even
the slightest chance that Shidou’s intentions be captured by Reine’s
intuition, the plan would collapse instantly. Then, everything would
revert back to the initial situation──

“Yes──that should be done first.”

17 | P a g e

After that momentary thought, Shidou forced his legs to stand up
again from that spot.

Then, while walking though the corridor, he step into the men’s
restroom onboard <Fraxinus>.

While there are countless cameras and microphones installed in the
ship, no matter what, there shouldn’t be recording devices in the
restroom. Here, nothing would be recorded unless one spoke to
loudly and the feedback was caught from the outside.

After locking the door to the stall, Shidou took out his smart phone
from his pocket and tapped on the icon labeled as ‘M’.

Then, the five letters writing out the name ‘MARIA’, were displayed
on the screen as a familiar voice was heard from the speaker.

“──Confirmation for application launch. How may I be of
assistance?”

The voice of the girl chiming though the smart phone was the exact
same as that of Maria, the management AI of the Fraxinus airship
that Shidou was onboard right now.

That’s right. Within his smartphone, there was an application
installed (Shido was unaware of when) that allowed for direct

18 | P a g e

communication with Maria. With this, it was possible to
communicate with Maria without passing through the equipment
inside the ship.

“I have something I need to tell you, Maria.”

“What happened? To invite your female classroom teacher on a date
the day before the decisive battle, Itsuka · Immoral· Shidou.”

“…………”

Hearing that said in a somewhat sullen colored voice, Shidou fell
silent without even having to think.

…..It seemed that the prior conversation had been recorded.
Certainly if only that scene were taken into context, it’s no wonder to
be baffled at such a matter.

“No, that……Maria.”

“No, no I don’t intend to blame you. Perhaps, the next battlefield will
be the largest yet. Since it’s also possible that Shidou could die, it’s
not a bad idea to solve the issue of the future. Moreover, it’s the
instinct of every creature to retain its own species when life is
threatened. It is also a good choice to select Reine as your first
partner. Surely, you’ll receive a gentle first-time induction. I didn’t
know that Shidou likes them more mature for himself. Can you tell

19 | P a g e

me the specific points that were the deciding factor for future
reference? Is it a sense of broad-mindedness? Is it her breasts? A
sense of security? Breasts? Or is it still because of breasts? Tch.”

“M-Maria?”

“Although it is big, it’s only 95 cm at best. The portion of my chest
extending out from my warship (body) exceeds 250 m.”

“The portion of your chest extending out!? ……No wait, listen to my
story first……!”

As Shido made an earnest appeal, Maria finally grew silent to
encourage him to speak.

“Listen, Maria. You may not believe what I say next, but please listen
calmly. I’ve traveled back from 30 hours from now──from February
20th. No, to be more exact, only my consciousness from February
20th has returned to my current body.”

“Hō.”

Hearing what Shidou had said, Maria, not laughing or too amazed,
calmly replied back.

“Because you used Kurumi’s <Zafkiel> to return back to the
present?”

20 | P a g e

“Ahh, yes. You understanding it so quickly helps a lot.”

“Analyzing from previous cases, I thought that this might be it──of
course, this is excluding the possibility that Shidou is making up a
desperately magnificent excuse to cover up his secret date with
Reine.”

“H-hey, you……”

“Just kidding. Humor is cushioning material for your mind. Even
when backed into a corner, I’d like you to have enough room left to
still take in jokes.”

“……Then I’ll do my best.”

Shidou let out a wry smile. ……truly, she was an artificial intelligence
that can be relied upon at any time. Although he had intended Maria
to be the first person to discuss this situation due to her role in
managing and controlling information onboard, he did not expect to
receive such encouragement.

“──Anyway, let’s continue on. Please rest assured this conversation
won’t be in the record. Why else bother choosing such a place,
wasn’t that the reason?”

“Ah………”

21 | P a g e

After Shidou deeply nodded, he began to explain.

──During the battle against DEM, the Spirit of Origin・Mio had
appeared after piercing through Kurumi’s chest.

Reine being a provisional appearance for Mio.

The Spirits defeated one after the other, their Sephira Crystals
snatched away.

Even Tohka, who had taken in a portion of Mio’s power, was erased.

And so, using the Sixth Bullet <Vav> sealed within his body, he had
returned back to the night before the decisive battle.

“……I see.”

After Shidou completed his explanation, Maria said that while
accompanied by a thin breathtaking sound. Of course, an AI doesn’t
need to breathe, but there was still finely minuscule patterns
projected in her speech.

“I understand the situation──Shidou.”

“W-what’s the matter?”

22 | P a g e

“Well, it's great to see you're still alive.”
“……”
Hearing Maria’s brief words, tears unconsciously began to leak from
his eyes. However, he couldn’t stop to cry at a place like this. While
wiping his tears with his sleeve, he worked hard to show Maria that
he had recovered.
“Yes, thanks to everyone’s efforts.”
“I agree. Everyone worked really hard.”
As she said that, Maria continued speaking as if having thought of
something.
“──Now, if that’s the case, I’ll have to prepare for tomorrow.
──First, let’s go to Kotori for assistance. I’ll contact her so please
head to Kotori’s office first. The details will be given there.”
“Ah, that’s right. First of all……I’ll have to inform Kotori.”
Shidou spilled out those words with heavy look marking his face.

23 | P a g e

Itsuka Kotori, the commander of <Ratatoskr> and Shidou’s younger
sister. If <Ratatoskr> wanted to be involved in any operation, then
her assistance was indispensable.

However, Kotori had a close relationship with the aforementioned
Reine. It was a close enough relationship that she was considered to
be her best friend. Honestly, it hurt his heart that he must tell the
truth to Kotori.

“Yes. Although it will be painful, it is also essential. ──Even if it’s
Reine, it’ll be no problem. I’ll edit the corresponding conversation
logs and images inside the ship. But since Reine is also within
<Fraxinus>, that alone cannot afford complete security. Please be
careful to keep your volume low so that others won’t be able to hear
in.”

“Alright, I understand. Is it okay to talk in the office?”

“Yes, it would be less risky to let you return home to talk, but it
would look unnatural for Kotori leave the ship in the current
situation. In order to minimize Reine’s suspicions, we should hold the
conversation here.”

“I see, alright I’ll head out first.”

24 | P a g e

“Yes. ──However, because there will be no records left behind, it’ll
be difficult to cling onto the chair in Kotori’s room and resist the
smell of her newly taken off stockings.”

“Hey, hey……”

As Shidou spoke out, he remembered what Maria had just said
before.

“That’s a pity. I would have liked that as much as my favorite kissing
cup.”

“Fufu──well you’ve certainly tried to make a good performance.”

Maria delightfully laughed as Shidou tightened his shoulders from his
forced routine.

◇

“Muu……I woke up.”

While walking through a corridor of <Fraxinus>, Tohka let out a small
“Mmm……” sound as she lightly stretched. In line with that
movement, her long night-colored hair slightly swayed

It was already late enough for time to reset back to zero again. For

25 | P a g e

Tohka who had always gone to bed early, it was quite late in the
evening to still be up.

Nevertheless, it wasn’t because Tohka liked wandering around the
ship. Originally, she was sleeping in the same room as the other
Spirits. But she was woken up shocked seeing Miku sleeping next to
her and had no choice but head to the lounge room of the ship to get
something warm to drink.

However, there was an unexpected person in the lounge room.
──Shidou.

No, there was nothing unusual with Shidou being there. While the
encounter was certainly surprising, it would be better to say that
even remembering the accidental encounter made Tohka feel very
joyful.

However, after Shidou confirmed Tohka’s appearance, he suddenly
was overcome by emotion and suddenly embraced her before saying
something strange.

“A……dream.”

Tohka recalled the sensation of the hug, the feeling of holding his
shoulders with his own hands, and the words that he spilled out to
her at the same time.

26 | P a g e

That’s right. Shidou had said that he had a bad dream. ──A dream
where everyone will get killed in the battle tomorrow.

That must have been a terrifyingly dreadful dream to have frightened
Shidou that much. If Tohka had seen the same dream, she would
have likely jump out of bed, soaking her pillow in tears.

But──no, that was why.

“…………”

Tohka had injected even more strength into her hands holding onto
his shoulders.

“As for that dream, I will never let those things happen.”

As if to make this determination boil inside her body, Tohka strongly
uttered that.

According to Shidou, the Tohka in his dream worked furiously hard to
protect Shidou. ──To become an existence like that in his dreams
was something to be proud of.

Then she mustn’t lose to herself from the dream. Tohka let out a
small “alright” for the purpose of raising her spirits before briskly
pacing herself to go back to sleep.

27 | P a g e

What needed to be done today for the upcoming battle is to get
sufficient rest. First of all, she should get a steady amount of sleep
tonight──

However.

“………Muu?”

While returning back to the room to take a nap, Tohka pursed her
eyebrows up in astonishment.

But that was to be expected as well. There were two petite girls
standing near the vicinity of the entrance.

One girl was wearing a rabbit puppet on her left hand. The other was
a girl with long hair tied up that seemed still extensive enough to
reach the ground. ──They were Spirits that should have been
sleeping in the same room as Tohka: Yoshino and Mukuro. But now,
both of them had their eyes wide open, staring back at the room
with a shudder.

“What are you doing, Yoshino, Mukuro?”

“……! Tohka-san!”

“Oh, so you’re safe.”

“Yeah, I thought you were already eaten.”

As Tohka asked, Yoshino, Mukuro, and the rabbit puppet Yoshinon,
while still trembling, were surprised for a moment before out a sigh
of relief as they confirmed Tohka’s appearance.

“……? Did something happen?”

28 | P a g e

“A-actually……”

Following Tohka’s question, Yoshino fearfully pointed back to the
room.

“Mu……?”

While looking at the direction indicated by Yoshino’s fingertips,
Tohka found something in the depths of the room where the lights
were off.

Finally, as her eyes became accustomed to the darkness, Tohka
noticed it. It was──

“A-ahhhhh…”

Lying on the floor, Natsumi let out a weak voice from her throat.

“Chew......, chew.........”

It was the appearance of Miku letting out an “hmmm…..” sound
while sucking on Natsumi’s innocent belly.

“Wha……what is this…”

Looking at the contextless scene front of her eyes, confusion struck
Tohka’s expression. Short afterwards, as if matching Tohka’s gaze,
Miku turned her body, causing Natsumi to leak out a painful
“Gwaaaaah….!” groan.

“N-Natsumi-san……!”

“R-run away Yoshino……while she’s still targeting me……if you don’t
escape, I wouldn’t be able to keep her……”

29 | P a g e

“That, I can’t escape and leave Natsumi-san behind……!”
As Natsumi and Yoshino were passionately exchanging those words,
Tohka felt a cold sweat drip down her cheek as she turned her
attention to Miku, who had completely transformed into a monster.
“Miku, what are you doing! Let go of Natsumi!”
“Tis in vain, Tohka. Look closer.”
“What……?”
Listening to what Mukuro had said, Tohka carefully observed Miku
again.
For some reason, Miku had closed her eyes and was mumbling
something incomprehensible in her sleep.

“Hmm…..huh……can you really give everything to me……? My
stomach is getting full……”

Seeing her look like this, Tohka felt a shudder open her eyes widely.

“No……! No way Miku──”

“Mun……although unbelievable, Miku is still asleep. That is to
say──this is her sleepwalking posture!”

30 | P a g e

Mukuro shouted while pointing at Miku. Then, as if hearing her name
being called, Miku squirmed her limbs around and began crawling
like a worm.
“Hmm……fu…...”
“Gya──────!”
“Natsumi-san!”
“Uwaah, how passionate.”
“Truly a headache……Natsumi’s vitality is being snatched by Miku.”
As Natsumi screamed, Yoshino, Yoshinon, and Mukuro raised a
helpless voice.
“Mu……”
Looking on at this scene, Tohka made up her mind. After nodding
and placing her hands on Yoshino and Mukuro’s shoulders, she
stepped her feet into the room.
“! Tohka-san……?”

31 | P a g e

“It’s too dangerous, Tohka. Although still asleep, her nose is still
effective. If you draw too close, you’ll be repeating Natsumi’s
mistakes all over again.”
“It’s okay. ───I’ve learned how to deal with these problems from Nia
before. Leave it to me.”
Tohka said as she nodded vigorously. Then, she took off a stocking
under her feet, grabbed the edge of it, and started swinging and
whistling.
"Now, now, come back to the forest, Miku. Ru──rururu──"
“……………!”
The moment after, as if noticing this, Miku raised her face.

32 | P a g e

33 | P a g e

And then, Miku’s mouth left Natsumi’s stomach, she began to crawl
on the floor as if drawn to Tohka’s stocking.

“……Su……su.”

“──Take this!”

As soon as Miku was close enough, Tohka threw her stocking at the
wall.

“……!”

Then, Miku made a leap forward chasing after it──

“──Ahyu!?”

In this manner, the dull sound of slamming against the wall
resounded.

“Ha……!? T-this is……”

Having ploughed her face into the wall, Miku snapped back to reality
as her eyes jolted open.

It seemed that she was finally awake. While rubbing the bruise on
her forehead from the collision just now, Miku began to look around.

34 | P a g e

After confirming that Miku was awake now, Yoshino and Mukuro
breathed out a collective sigh of relief as they ran towards Natsumi.

“Natsumi-san, are you alright?”

“S-somehow……”

“Mun……the stomach has been attached to an octopus sucker……”

While using the hands of those two for support, Natsumi began to
stand up.

Then, Miku, gazing on at this scene, let out a “Kya!?” in a startled
voice.

“What happened to you, Natsumi-san!? That lacking in form
appearance! How crafty, what were you doing with everyone while I
was asleep?”

“……………”

Hearing what Miku had said, everyone looked on at her silently.
Indeed, Miku also noticed this sense of discomfort as she felt cold
sweat hanging down her face while looking back at everyone in
order.

35 | P a g e

“Er, um……what happened, everyone? Somehow your faces look kind
of scary.”

Miku scratched her face while creaking out those words. It seemed
that she truly didn’t remember anything. Looking at these
circumstances, Natsumi let out a weary sigh as if completely
exhausted.

“……Miku, what kind of dream did you have……were you eating at an
all-you can eat hotel buffet?”

“Eh? A dream……Ah, I remember now. It was a nice dream. A dream
of sleeping together in the same room as Natsumi-san, Yoshino-san,
Mukuro-san, and Tohka-san……”

“Were you really dreaming!? Going back to that dream, why were
you sleep-talking and move about like that!?”

In response to Miku’s answer, Natsumi raised a scream as if unable
to bear it any longer.

Then──

“──What are you doing?”

As everyone was making a ruckus, rays of light from the outside
corridor entered as someone’s shadow was casted onto the room.

36 | P a g e

“Mu?”

Looking there, they could see a girl standing near the entrance of the
room. With hair reaching her shoulders and an expressionless face
resembling a doll──it was Spirit who should have been sleeping in
the adjacent room, Tobiichi Origami.

“Oh, Origami. Sorry, did we wake you up?”

After recognizing Origami’s appearance, Tohka slightly lowered her
head. Origami has a high sensitivity to sound. If there was a loud
commotion next door, it would have been difficult to not be woken
up.

“…………”

However, Origami shook her head as if to refute Tohka’s suggestion.
Feeling that something was off, Tohka slightly slanted her head.

“Mu……what’s wrong?”

Faced with Tohka’s question, Origami replied back in a calm, but
internally passionate tone.

37 | P a g e

“It’s good that everyone is up. ──I have something important to say.
Come.”

“……?”

Sensing something unusual in Origami’s demeanor, Tohka made a
small nod forward.

◇

“……………So.”

After a long, long silence.

Kotori spewed out those brief words like dirty mud that had clogged
her sunken heart.

It’s been about 20 minutes since Shidou had successfully
communicated with Maria. Following Maria’s instructions, he had
met up with Kotori in her office. There, he managed to shake off the
heavy lead-like feeling as he explained the events of the future to
Kotori.

And then──just that last word leaked out from Kotori’s lips.

38 | P a g e

Very brief, but those two letters were more than enough to
understand Kotori’s heart.

In fact, she must have wanted to scream, to cry badly, to grab Shidou
by the collar and yell at him for deceiving her.

However, Kotori didn’t indiscriminately scatter any strong violent
emotions──whether fortunate or unfortunate──Kotori had steeled
herself. While shaking the black ribbons in her hair and the hem of
her jacket on her shoulders, Kotori gently raised her sunken face.

“Thank you. Although it’s probably painful, I’m glad you can tell me
this.”

Kotori spoke in a gentle tone. However, contrary to that tone, the
pain in her voice was unmistakably visible.

But that was to be expected. Kotori, who held the deepest trust in
her own subordinates, had just discovered that Reine was the Spirit
of Origin──and the perpetrator who turned Kotori into a Spirit five
years ago.

Moreover, although it has not yet happened in this world, all of the
Spirits including Kotori will be killed. Even for Kotori, it was
impossible to withstand that fact.

“……Sorry.”

39 | P a g e

“Why do you want to apologize? It’s better to say that you’re the one
that shown quick wittedness at the eleventh hour. If it wasn’t for
Shidou, our fate would have already been decided. Really──thank
you.”

While saying that, Kotori displayed a smile.

“Kotori──”

“──Well then, let’s start strategizing.”

Looking at Kotori’s overtly grief-like appearance, Shidou wanted to
speak out. But at that moment, Maria’s voice echoed from the
speaker as if to interject between the two of them.

“………”

Shidou held his breath slightly and, after a moment of hesitation,
gently nodded.

“Ah……that’s right.”

Then, he took out his smart phone from his pocket so that Kotori
could also understand, entering a message saying “sorry and many
thanks” to Maria. Then immediately on the screen, a reply saying “no

40 | P a g e

need for thanks……three supercomputers are more than enough”
was displayed back.

It was obvious that Kotori was attempting to do the impossible. But
even so, she was still trying to maintain the image of a strong
commander. As such, Shidou couldn’t murmur about and waste her
efforts.

Of course releasing one’s feelings out would feel healthier. There is a
time where it is better to let out a cry more appropriate for a girl of
her age.

But surely it was not now.

Because right now────nothing is over yet.

“…………”

After everything was over, he decided that he would hug Kotori with
all of his strength and let her cry her heart out then. And so, with
that in mind, Shidou continued talking.

“Anyway, I’ve succeeded on inviting Reine-san on a date. The
problem is after this.”

41 | P a g e

“Yes, you have to think about the contents of the date to some
extent before this morning. Of course, that is on the basis of securing
the minimal amount of sleep.”

Kotori then continued while crossing her fingers together.

“At the same time, the preparations for DEM must also continue
advancing. Even if the seal is successful for Reine────for Mio, but if
we are destroyed by them afterwards, we’ll just be fisherman reeling
in for the other party’s profit.”

“Haha……for sure.”

Shidou forced a smile as he shrugged his shoulders.

Indeed, Shidou had just returned from a desperate end through the
power of the Angel of time, <Zafkiel>.

He obtained the chance to redo a history that had already been
decided.

But at the same time, what they accomplished in the future had also
reverted back to nothing.

For Shidou and <Ratatoskr>, on February 20th, the all-out war
against DEM──Deus Ex Machina Industries will commence.

42 | P a g e

At the end of the fierce battle, he had succeeded in defeating the
enemy leader, Isaac Westcott─but there was no guarantee that this
could work as well this time around.

After all, the abnormal situation of Westcott’s appearance on the
foreground was due to Mio appearing on the battlefield. If Shidou
supposedly sealed Mio’s reiryoku before the battle, then the
enemy’s offensive strategy will change dramatically. Although Mio
remaining the top priority stayed unchanged, they were never an
opponent where negligence should be afforded.

As Kotori shifted the conversation forward, she placed her hand
against her chin and let out an “Hmm” sound.

“──The timing for sharing information to the rest of the crew is a bit
troubling. Although it’s not impossible to notify them for more
assistance, there’s also the possibility of it being noticed by Reine
while she is still on the ship……”

“That’s true, but I don’t think it’s necessary to worry too much. Reine
has already moved to a private room, likely for until tomorrow
morning in order to avoid getting assigned an emergency job.”

“So that’s the reason……ah, is there a sudden job she needs to do
early morning?”

43 | P a g e

“Since Reine is so talented, it’s become a daily routine for crew
members who have not finished their work to come crying to her. In
that respect, we must be thankful that Nakatsugawa and Mikimoto
have devoted their usual habits to the sidelines in favor of work.
Really, it’s hard to say what will come in handy.”

“Hahaha……”

After hearing a frank evaluation that could either be praise or an
insult, Shidou scratched his face at the ambiguity.

Well, while preparing for Mio’s capture and countermeasures for
DEM, it was imperative to increase the amount of companions who
could grasp the situation without being noticed by Reine. ……But by
no means did he ever think that Nakatsugawa’s figurines and
Mikimoto’s private calls would have meaning here.

And then──with a thought entering his mind, Shidou raised the
corners of his eyebrows.

Like the crew members, there were others that he wanted to tell
about Reine.

Perhaps from the shift in his facial expression, Kotori likely had an
idea of what he was thinking. Kotori let out a sigh as if in a difficult
position.

44 | P a g e

“──Thinking about the Spirits?”

“……Well. Although it is something that cannot be avoided in being
conveyed──but it still feels a little bit heavy.”

Although their relationship is not as close as between Kotori and
Reine, all of the Spirits have also been under Reine’s care. Besides
Shidou and Kotori, Reine is the person that they have been in contact
with the most.

Having to tell them that such a dependable Onee-san had killed
everyone, it still weighed heavily on Shidou’s mind despite being
unavoidable.

“Yes……but they have to overcome that.”

“……That’s right.”

Shidou recalled back to the future world where Reine had revealed
her true identity.

Even if they were confused, they had accepted the matter calmly. Of
course, there may be reasons for why they couldn’t panic amidst a
fierce battle, but they were much stronger than he could imagine.

45 | P a g e

Indeed, <Ratatoskr> was an organization dedicated to protecting the
Spirits, but it would still be an insult to disparage their mental
strength and withhold information.

If it was them, they will certainly be able to overcome the truth. With
such conviction in mind, Shidou once again nodded. Likewise, Kotori
responded with the same gesture in kind.

“Having said that, aren’t everyone asleep now? In fact, I would like
to get everyone’s opinions on a plan for the date, but we can’t upset
the status of the Spirits who are essential to the DEM plan──”

Just as Kotori was in the middle of speaking, Shidou’s phone began to
vibrate.

“Hmm……?”

For a moment, he thought that it was Maria──but immediately that
thought was refuted in his mind. Maria could directly speak through
the terminal or send a text message to Shidou like she had just done
before. There was no need to bother with a voice call.

While pondering this over, the name Tobiichi Origami was displayed
on the screen.

“Origami……?”

46 | P a g e

Shidou shook his head as he pressed down on the reply button.
Then, a quiet voice was heard.

“──I know about the story.”

“Eh……?”

Those sudden words caused Shidou to yelp up in surprise. However,
Origami didn’t seem concerned about this as she continued on in a
mild tone.

“We’ll also help in the creation of a date plan. Please give permission
to use the conference room.”

“W-wait a moment. How do you know about──”

“Can we bother you for a bit?”

As Shidou was left confused, Kotori reached up and snatched away
the smart phone from Shidou’s hands.

Then, she laid it down on the table and pressed on the speaker icon
on the screen.

“Hello, Origami. Where are you now?”

“The second sleeping room.”

47 | P a g e

Origami succinctly answered Kotori’s question.

That wasn’t all. Following Origami’s reply, several voices also
resounded from behind.

“──We’re also here!”

“Haha, my curtain of darkness has begun to cradle!”

“Petition. Please allow Yuzuru and the others to also help.”

“Wh──at──although it’s become an unexpectedly hot blooded
development, Nia-chan doesn’t dislike these sorts of things.”

Wait; while happy to hear the Spirit’s voices, it seemed that
everyone had already grasped Reine’s true identity──or at the very
least what was mentioned during Shidou and Kotori’s conversation.
Unable to grasp what had happened, Shidou raised his brow in
confusion.

However, while looking at Shidou’s face, Kotori seemed to notice
something as she narrowed her eyes and opened her lips.

“……So? Where is it?”

“Second button.”

48 | P a g e